Background

Given the increased interest in large scale 1/32 scale modern jets by
the likes of Tamiya, Revell, and Academy, it is surprising that no updated
F-16 kit has been produced. The best of the available kits in 1/32 is the
Hasegawa F-16C kit, available in the “Ramstein” or “F-16A Plus/C” boxings.
Although the Hasegawa kit includes the exhausts for both the Pratt &
Whitney and General Electric engines, one weakness is that the kit only
includes the original “small mouth” intake, which limits the number of GE-engined
aircraft that can be accurately built from the kit as it comes in the box.

From Block 30 onwards, F-16Cs were built with either the GE F110 engine or
the P&W F100 engine. GE powered aircraft were assigned production blocks
ending in a “0” (e.g. Block 30, Block 40, Block 50), while P&W-engined
aircraft were listed in production blocks ending in “2” (e.g. Block 32,
Block 42, Block 52). With the two engines came two types of intake: the
original “small” NSI (Normal Shock Intake) and the “big mouth” MCID
(Modular Common Inlet Duct). All P&W powered aircraft (except the F-16
VISTA) use the NSI as included in the Hasegawa kit. GE powered aircraft
are a little more tricky as production swapped over to the MCID during
Block 30 production, meaning that there are some early GE engined aircraft
that use the NSI. Some sources state that the change to the MCID happened
with Block 30D, starting at serial number 86-0262. Subsequent GE engined
Blocks 40 and 50 all have the MCID.

For those wanting to do a later GE powered Viper, Cutting Edge has issued
a MCID inlet made for the Hasegawa kit. This set also includes parts for
the larger main wheels and bulged main landing gear doors of later
production blocks. The instructions indicate that the large wheels and new
main landing gear (MLG) doors are fitted to all MCID aircraft, but the
majority of references I have access to indicate these are features of
Block 40 and above aircraft only.

FirstLook

The main part of the CE set is the new one-piece intake, with embedded
nose wheel well. This part is a direct replacement for the kit intake
parts.

The difference between the kit’s NSI and CE’s MCID is graphically
illustrated in two photos, one showing both intakes side by side (the kit
intake is in the lighter gray and is shown with the kit intake cover
installed), and the second photo which shows the kit intake cover inside
the CE part.

Also included in the set is a one-piece section of the ductwork that
leads to the actual engine and forms the top of the main gear bay.

Both the intake and duct are “seamless”, which avoids the long
horizontal seam of the kit parts; however there may be a circumferential
seam where the duct and intake are joined together. The small strut that
sits in the middle of the intake is included as a separate part and small
holes are provided in the top and bottom of the intake to assist in proper
positioning. Rounding out the intake related parts is a new forward
bulkhead for the MLG bay. This seems to be the same as kit part D5, with
the exception of the ejector pin marks among the rib detail being removed
and the detail restored.

The new wheels are very well done and even a small air valve is visible in
the wheel openings. The brakes are separate parts and show a little flash,
although cleanup should be straightforward. The new MLG doors have full
interior detail. Although the photographs do not show the subtle bulge in
the doors well, it is apparent when looking at the door from certain
angles with the naked eye.

Click the thumbnails below
to view larger images:

As noted previously, the larger wheels and new doors included in the
set appear to be appropriate for Blocks 40 and above, however some
additional work will be needed for these later blocks. In addition to the
new wheels and doors, Block 40 relocated the landing lights from the main
gear struts to the inside of the nose gear door. In addition, the “beer
can” RWR antennas were added to the wing leading edge flaps beginning at
Block 30. This is not meant as a criticism of the set, as it is only
advertised as the “Big Mouth” intake conversion, but is included as
information for those wanting to build a Block 40 or 50 F-16C using this
set.